Suriani Ismail
Dept. of Community Health,University Putra Malaya
Malaysia
Title: Ramadan fasting for substantial initial weight loss and Islamic voluntary fasting for weight maintenance – an intervention designed for overweight and obese Muslims
Biography
Biography: Suriani Ismail
Abstract
Yearly, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during the fasting month of Ramadan. Studies show that among those who fasted, there was significant weight loss at the end of that month. Significant weight loss within a month is one of the positive predicting factors for subsequent weight loss and also weight loss maintenance. Other contributing factors include reduced eating frequency and reduced carbohydrate intake. Unfortunately, studies have also shown that the weight lost during Ramadan is often regained within a month after Ramadan. To counteract this effect, Islamic voluntary fasting (fasting outside the month of Ramadan on selected days) can be adopted as a maintenance weight loss program, as studies have shown that adherence to a weight loss program is one of the main factors for further weight loss and weight maintenance. To sum up, obligatory Ramadan fasting and voluntary fasting according to the teachings of Islam can serve as a favorable opportunity for weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, especially for Muslims. As religion is an important part of an individual’s lifestyle, religious teachings supported by scientific principles are potentially promising health-promoting tools.